Arundel Festival: Strength to strength for gallery trail

The trail is on until Monday, August 27, during the annual Arundel Festival, offering more than 60 venues and more than 100 local, national and international artists exhibiting a wide range of innovative, unique and creative work.

Spokesman James Stewart said: “This year’s artists include established and emerging painters, sculptors, photographers, jewellers, furniture makers, textile artists, illustrators, 3D creators, weavers and many more.

“Now established as a major element of the annual Arundel Festival, the Gallery Trail venues, all within the historic old town centre, provide visitors the chance to see some beautiful houses and gardens, not normally open to the public.

“In addition the venues, which are all free, provide visitors the opportunity browse venues in between other music or drama events going on.

“Over 100 exhibitions showing everything from chainsaw curved sculpture to ceramics, paintings to driftwood boats, jewellery to furniture, there is something for the serious art collector as well as those just looking for something to match the sofa.

“Come and meet the artists and discuss their work in the houses, gardens, shops and venues of Arundel.”

Prize

The Derek Davis Prize will again be awarded this year to the artist nominated by the visitors to the Arundel Gallery Trail. Derek Davis was an international artist based in Arundel since 1950, who was one of the original founders of the Trail with Oliver Hawkins, Ann Sutton and Renee Bodimeade.

James added: “The work on show is as varied as the venues and includes painting, ceramics, prints, jewellery, glass, ironwork, sculpture, drawings, textiles, furniture, wood-carving and installations.

“With so many professional and gifted amateur artists resident locally, for the last 50 years or so it is no wonder that this open house art event keeps people returning year after year.”

Opening

All venues are open from 2.30pm to 5.30pm on week days and from noon to 5.30pm on Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday Monday.

Entry to all venues is free of charge and most of the work on view will be for sale.

Several artists who have taken part since the start of the trail will return this year including Andy Waite, Val Lishman and Oliver Hawkins.

Other favourites include Mike Savage’s metal garden sculptures, Gilly McCadden’s paintings and prints, Victor Stuart-Graham’s painted boats/beach huts and Nicola Rose’s paintings.

Anyone who would like more details about the festival’s annual gallery trail can log on to the website www.arundelgallerytrail.co.uk.